STYLE OF THE DRC ELECTION MADE IN LUSAKA
In run up to electors in the DRC, Kabila visited Zambia to strategize on how to overcome Moise Katumbi popularly. Those who may have forgotten this visit, be reminded that actually the DRC Presidential motorcade did in fact cause an accident, was it not on leopards hill road? Remember, the accident is not part of what I am trying to illustrate here, but just an airtight connection to this consultative visit.
Those with good memories will remember that. Mr.Kabila’s problem in this case was not to retain power but, that Mr. Katumbi does not win an election he was destined to win. Consultant was Mr. Lungu.
I want you to relate the president Lungu’s pronouncements and unfolding events in the DRC after Kabila’s visit to Lusaka, compare and contrast with the Zambian situation. A strategy made in Lusaka.
First and foremost, our President is on record making pronouncements. For instance, he says, a Tonga one day will be a president, but not this current one. What does that suppose to mean? The President would accept any other presidential candidate to win the 2021 election as long as it’s not HH. Sounds familiar to the DRC situation, right?
Actually, the elections can even be rigged in favour of any opposition candidate, as long as it’s not HH. Provided that candidate is user friendly to the current regime. This is so as to remove the suspicion on the current regime and contain public anger of unsatisfied citizens to the current below par leadership characterised by unprecedented levels of corruption and public institutions undermining.
May be we have not followed the DRC reports on the aftermath of the DRC election. Election observer teams gave their verdicts on the overall election Edgar Lungu in fact is on record having proposed government of national unity.
Remember, this is the same President who on both SABC being interviewed by Mpho and most recently on his visit to copperbelt. He remarked that he could have lost 2015 and 2016 election because he was a bit naive and not any more. My question here is, is respecting the will of the people naivety? Is leaving the ECZ to be autonomous naivety? May be this will tell us a story of why Judge Chulu’s flipflop when he was confronted by HH to register his dissatisfaction on the election result announcement of 2016 where Chitulika made a constituency, Chitulika and why Lusaka was given more time to be manipulated. First the Judge agreed to a meeting but, soon after HH left. Mr. Lungu went there too and the next we heard was cancellation of the meeting with HH.
Coming back to DRC election, with Mr. Lungu as a consultant. Mr. Katumbi was to be arrested for crimes only God knows what. He was forced into exile and he never filed nomination papers. However, since Mr. Kabila knew his people’s mood he rigged election in favour of Chistekedi so as to contain public outrage.
To all the doubting Thomases this should be able to tell you why the only procession that was never met with brute force, is that of Privatization..Strategy made in Lusaka as that of the DRC.Tactics! tactics! tactics, what succeeded in DRC should never succeed here in Zambia.
Sikaile Sikaile
Good Governance and Human rights Activist for Zambia and Amnesty International